Soft boot pulse oximetry sensor

ABSTRACT

A reusable sensor is disclosed for producing a signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of tissue. The sensor can include a sensor housing that has a distal opening, a wire lumen, and a proximal opening. The distal opening can include a lumen extending through the body of the sensor housing and the wire lumen can be located on the outside of the sensor housing. The sensor can also include a first component located on a top surface of the sensor housing and along the pathway of the wire lumen. The sensor can also include a second component located on the bottom surface of the sensor housing opposite of the first component. The second component can also be located along the pathway of the wire lumen. The sensor can also include a wire coaxially disposed within the wire lumen and connecting the first component and second component.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/113,279, filed Feb. 6, 2015, andU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/118,668, filed Feb. 20, 2015, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and shouldbe considered a part of this specification. Any and all applications forwhich a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in theApplication Data Sheet as filed with the present application are herebyincorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to sensors. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to reusable medical sensors.

BACKGROUND

Energy is often transmitted through or reflected from a medium todetermine characteristics of the medium. For example, in the medicalfield, instead of extracting material from an individual's body fortesting, light or sound energy may be caused to be incident on theindividual's body and transmitted (or reflected) energy may be measuredto determine information about the material through which the energy haspassed. This type of non-invasive measurement is more comfortable forthe individual and can be performed more quickly

Non-invasive physiological monitoring of bodily function is oftenrequired. For example, during surgery, blood pressure and the body'savailable supply of oxygen, or the blood oxygen saturation, are oftenmonitored. Measurements such as these are often performed withnon-invasive techniques where assessments are made by measuring theratio of incident to transmitted (or reflected) light through a portionof the body, for example a digit such as a finger, or an earlobe, or aforehead.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a sensor that is responsive to signalsreceived from the individual. The sensor can be attached to instrumentsthat are responsive to signals from the sensors or the cables from theinstrument. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the sensorhousing is sufficiently durable for use in non-traditional hospitalsettings. In some embodiments, the sensor has an opening that allows alight to shine through the surface of the sensor. This can provide avisual indicator to allow for proper sensor placement in low lightconditions. In one embodiment, the configuration of the wiring andcomponents inside the sensor housing may be positioned to allow themanipulation of the sensor housing (e.g. for cleaning) while maintainingthe integrity of the wiring within the sensor housing. In anotherembodiment, the sensor housing can provide for the physiologicalmonitoring of bodily function in a non-traditional hospital setting. Inone example, the sensor housing can have protruding components to ensurea reliable reading from the individual's fingertip. As well, the sensorhousing can have an indicator to notify the individual that the sensoris properly reading the individual's bodily functions.

The sensor provides a comfortable and adjustable fit that canaccommodate a patient with any sized finger or fingernail. As well, thestructure of the sensor housing both secures the patient's finger toensure a proper reading by the sensor, but also secures the sensorhousing against the patient's finger to prevent improper sensormeasurements as a result of the sensor housing bumping against externalsurfaces. In some embodiments, the sensor housing can include an openingat the proximal end of the sensor housing to allow the fingernail of afinger to extend through the sensor housing. In some embodiments, thesensor housing includes a cable that is located across the top surfaceof the sensor housing and extends past the proximal end of the sensorhousing to provide sufficient room for the fingernail of a finger to behoused in the sensor housing.

The present disclosure provides a durable and reusable optical probewhich is suitably constructed to provide low-noise signals to be outputto a signal processor in order to determine the characteristics of themedium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of thesensor.

FIG. 1B illustrates a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the sensor.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of thesensor as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of one embodiment of the sensor asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of the sensor asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate two side views of one embodiment of the sensor asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the sensor asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of the sensor asillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of thesensor as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment ofthe sensor as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11A-11F illustrate various perspectives of an alternativeembodiment of the sensor.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate various perspectives of the embodiment of thesensor shown in FIGS. 11A-11F while in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a sensor that is responsive to signalsreceived from the individual. The sensor can be attached to instrumentsthat are responsive to signals from the sensors or the cables from theinstrument. In particular, the present disclosure relates to durable andreusable sensors that can be used in challenging environments wheretraditional reusable style sensors can be damaged. Such sensors aredesigned for individuals such as firefighters, emergency medicaltechnicians (“EMTs”), and other emergency workers that will have a needfor physiological monitoring of bodily functions.

As will be discussed below, the presently disclosed sensor can include anumber of features that provide the sensor with increased durability andallow the sensor to be cleaned and reused. The sensor can also haveadditional features that assist in monitoring of bodily functions innon-controlled environments. In one example, the sensor can beconfigured with an external structure to prevent the sensor fromcatching onto outside surfaces and disrupting sensor measurements. Inother examples, the sensor can additionally have features that providevisual indications to the individual as to whether the sensor isproperly functioning.

As used in the specification, the terms “proximal” and “distal” shouldbe understood as being relative to the location on the sensor where thesensor is monitoring an individual's bodily function (e.g. fingertip).The term “distal” means the portion of the sensor where the finger isfirst inserted into the sensor housing. The term proximal means theportion of the sensor that is closest the fingertip of the patient whenthe sensor is placed on the finger of the individual.

FIG. 1-10 illustrates a plurality of views of sensor 100. The sensor 100includes a sensor housing 130, wiring 150, an emitter 146, and a hardshell box 180. The sensor 100 has a proximal end 110 and a distal end120. As will be discussed in more detail below, the wiring 150 entersthe sensor housing 130 from the distal end 120 end of the sensor 100. Aswell, the sensor housing 130 can also have an opening 1270 on the distalend 120 that allows an individual's finger to fit into the sensorhousing 130. On the proximal end 110 of the sensor housing 130, thesensor housing 130 includes the emitter 146 on the top of the distal end120 of the sensor housing 130 and a detector 182 on the bottom of thedistal end 120 of the sensor housing 130. The emitter 146 and detector182 can interact to read predetermined bodily functions from theindividual's finger that are placed in the sensor housing 130. Thewiring 150 bends at an angle about the proximal end 110 of the sensorhousing 130 to connect the emitter 146 and detector 182. As will bediscussed in more detail below, in one embodiment, the wiring 150 canbend at the distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130 to allow the sensorhousing 130 to be flipped inside out without damaging the wiring 150.

FIG. 1B illustrates an oximeter sensor circuit 1000 of the sensor 100described above. As can be seen, the oximeter sensor circuit 1000includes an emitter 1005 comprising a first LED 1007 and a second LED1010. The oximeter sensor circuit 1000 further includes an informationelement comprising a resistor 1015. The first LED 1007, the second LED1010, and the resistor 1015 are connected in parallel. The parallelconnection has a common input electrical connection 1012 and a commonreturn 1025. The oximeter sensor circuit 1000 also includes a detector1030 having an input electrical connection 1035 connected to one end andhaving the common return 1025 connected to the other end. In someembodiments, the detector 1030 is a photodetector.

As mentioned, the resistor 1015 is provided as an information elementthat can be read by an attached oximeter. In order to read the resistor1015, the oximeter drives the oximeter sensor circuit 1000 at a levelwhere the emitter 1005 draws effectively insignificant current. Becausethe emitter 1005 becomes active only if driven at a voltage above athreshold level, at this low level, significantly all of the currentthrough the common input electrical connection 1012 flows through theresistor 1015. By reducing the drive voltage across the input electricalconnection 1012 and common return 1025 to a low enough level to notactivate the emitter 1005, the emitter 1005 is effectively removed fromthe oximeter sensor circuit 1000. Thus, the oximeter can determine thevalue of the resistor 1015.

The value of the resistor 1015 can be preselected to indicate, forexample, the type of sensor (e.g., adult, pediatric, or neonatal), theoperating wavelength, or other parameters about the sensor. The resistor1015 may also be utilized for security and quality control purposes. Forexample, the resistor 1015 may be used to ensure that the oximetersensor circuit 1000 is configured properly for a given oximeter. Forinstance, the resistor 1015 may be utilized to indicate that theoximeter sensor circuit 1000 is from an authorized supplier.

An information element other than the resistor 1015 may also beutilized. The information element need not be a passive device. Codinginformation may also be provided through an active circuit, such as atransistor network, memory chip (e.g. EEPROM), or other identificationdevice.

Furthermore, it will be understood by a skilled artisan that a number ofdifferent circuit configurations can be implemented that allow theoximeter sensor circuit 1000 to include an information element. Forexample, the emitter 1005 and the information element may each haveindividual electrical connections.

As mentioned above, the resistor 1015 is preselected such that at lowdrive voltages, it is the only circuit element sensed by the oximeter.On the other hand, the resistor 1015 can also be preselected and of asufficiently high value that when the drive voltage rises to a levelsufficient to drive the emitter 1005, the resistor 1015 is effectivelyremoved from the oximeter sensor circuit 1000. Thus the resistor 1015does not affect normal operations of the emitter 1005. In summary, aninformation element may form an integral part of the oximeter sensorcircuit 1000 by providing valuable information to the attached oximeter.

The circuit diagram of FIG. 1B is provided as an example of aconfiguration of the circuitry of the sensor 100 within the sensorhousing 130 and is not intended to be limiting. In other embodiments,the oximeter sensor circuit 1000 can include a plurality of emitters1005 and detectors 1030. For example, instead of/in addition to theresistor 1015, the oximeter sensor circuit 1000 can include additionalresistor 1015 or other elements in order to serve as an informationelement.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-10, the sensor 100 includes a sensor housing130. In one embodiment, the sensor housing 130 can be made of a rubberor elastomeric material, such as, for example, Dynaflex™ thermoplasticelastomer. The rubber or elastomeric material of the sensor housing 130protects the components of the sensor 100 and is flexible so as toresist tearing, cracking or crushing. The material design of the sensorhousing 130 also allows the sensor housing 130 to be flipped inside outand for easy cleaning of the finger-contact surfaces. Further, as willbe discussed below, while the sensor housing 130 is flexible, it isnevertheless sufficiently rigid so as to conform to the individual'sfinger and to hold the components of the sensor 100 near the portion ofthe individual's finger to obtain measurements. In other embodiments,the sensor housing 130 can also be made of silicone or other relatedmaterial which provides the sensor housing 130 with similar properties.

The sensor housing 130 has a top compressed portion 132, a bottomcompressed portion 134, a slit 190, a lip 170, and a wiring lumen 160that partially extends from the sensor housing 130 and houses the wiring150 through the length of the sensor housing 130. Further, the sensorhousing 130 can retain the components of the sensor 100—here, theemitter 146 and detector 182 on the top and bottom surfaces of thedistal end 120 of the sensor housing 130. The housing 130 surrounds thefinger. In an embodiment, when the finger is inserted into the sensor,the sensor encloses the finger to block ambient light from entering thesensor housing.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-2, the sensor housing 130 has a top compressedportion 132 and a bottom compressed portion 134 such that the proximalend 110 of the sensor housing 130 has a more compressed, squeezed orflattened configuration than the distal end 120 of the sensor housing130. As will be discussed in more detail, the emitter 146 and the hardshell box 180 are contained on the sensor housing 130 on the topcompressed portion 132 and bottom compressed portion 134 respectively soas to bring the components of the sensor 100 closer to the finger toimprove the physiological reading.

The distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130 includes a lip 170. As canbe seen in FIGS. 1A and 3, the lip 170 forms the opening 172 to thesensor housing 130 which allows an individual to place his/her fingerinto the inside surface 174 of the sensor housing 130. As can be seen,the profile of the lip 170 is wider than the remainder of the sensorhousing 130. In some embodiments, this allows easier placement of thesensor housing 130 on an individual's finger. In other embodiments, thelip 170 provides greater stability for the sensor 100. The thickermaterial of the lip 170 delivers a better grip on the portion of thefinger the lip 170 is in contact with. The lip 170 also provides a lightblocking barrier to prevent ambient light from entering into the sensorand causing erroneous readings. In some embodiments, because theproximal end 110 of the sensor 100 can provide a tight grip on thepatient's fingertip, an equally tight grip on the finger helps providestability if the location of that tight grip is located away from thefinger tip. The lip 170 can therefore be included to provide stability.The thicker material of the lip 170 therefore facilitates the placementof the sensor 100 on a variety of finger diameters but also provides thenecessary grip on the finger tip of the sensor 100 at the proximal end110. In some embodiments, the lip 170 can also provide a spring forcethat grips onto the finger. In some embodiments, this allows the sensor100 to maintain a stable grip on the finger even if the patient was tomove or shake his or her hand vigorously. FIGS. 2 and 4 illustrate theslit 190 on the distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130. The slit 190extends through the distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130 and helpsthe sensor housing 130 accommodate a variety of different finger sizes.In some embodiments, the slit 190 allows an individual's fingernail toprotrude through the slit 190. In this way, the individual's finger canbe properly positioned inside the sensor housing 130 to align with theemitter 146 and detector 182. In an embodiment, the fingernail slit 190substantially surrounds the fingernail and acts as a light blockingbarrier to prevent ambient light from entering the sensor.

In some embodiments, the material and structure of the sensor housing130 allows the sensor housing 130 to change shape as a patient's fingeris inserted. As discussed, the lip 170 of the opening 172 of the sensorhousing 130 can be pulled downward to better accommodate the patient'sfinger as it is inserted into the body of the sensor housing 130. Thesensor housing 130 surrounds the end of the patient's finger and retainsthe components and circuitry of the sensor 100 on the patient's fingerso as to properly monitor the individual's bodily functions. Further,the material properties and shape of the sensor housing 130 help theproper positioning of the sensor 100 and provide for proper monitoringeven with patient movement. The disclosed sensor housing 130 can provideproper monitoring even with a patient tapping his/her finger against asurface.

In order to monitor the individual's bodily functions as well as toconnect the emitter 146 to the detector 182, the sensor housing 130includes a wiring lumen 160 that allows wiring 150 to extend through thesensor housing 130. In some embodiments, the wiring lumen 160 extendsfrom the sensor housing 130 and has an opening 162 at the distal end 120of the sensor housing 130 that allows the wiring 150 to extend into. Thewiring 150 extends through the wiring lumen 160 and forms a straightportion 164 along the top of the sensor housing 130 until it connectswith the emitter 146. In some embodiments, the wiring 150 can then havean angled top portion 166 that routes the wiring 150 off center over thedistal end 120 of the sensor housing 130. In some embodiments, theangled top portion 166 can have an angle α with a 45 degree angle fromthe centerline. In other embodiments, the angled top portion 166 canhave an angle α that ranges from between greater than 0 degrees to lessthan 90 degrees. The angled top portion 166 allows the sensor housing130 to accommodate the individual's finger and/or fingernail and toallow it to protrude from the slit 190 of the distal end 120. Further,the angled top portion 166 can prevent the wiring 150 from beingstretched out and broken when the sensor 100 is turned inside out forcleaning. Because the angled top portion 166 is routed off center, thedistal end 120 of the sensor housing 130 has added material 136 in orderto compensate for the angled top portion 166. The angled bottom portion168 then connects the wiring 150 to the detector 182. In someembodiments, the added material 136 on the proximal end 110 of thesensor 100 can also serve the function of providing the emitter 146and/or the detector 182 with a closer and more secure fit on thefingertip.

The distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130 can accommodate the emitter146 and the detector 182 in the top compressed portion 132 and thebottom compressed portion 134 of the sensor housing 130 respectively. Asdiscussed above, the location of the emitter 146 and detector 182 on thecompressed distal end 120 portions of the sensor housing 130 allow thecomponents of the sensor housing 130 to be compressed against both sidesof the individual's finger.

As illustrated in the figures, the emitter 146 is located near theproximal end 110 of the sensor housing 130 and protrudes from thesurface of the top compressed portion 132. In one embodiment, theemitter 146 is centered in the distal end 120 of the sensor housing 130.The emitter 146 has a top surface 140 that is located on the surface ofthe sensor housing 130. FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the sensorhousing 130 and an enlarged view of the top surface 140. The top surface140 can have portions cut out to form a design. Each of the cut-outs onthe top surface 140 can be filled in with light pipe 142. The cut-outson the top surface 140 and the light pipe 142 allows the light 144 fromthe emitter 146 to shine from the top surface 140. The sensor 100 can beconfigured to be used in environments that frequently have insufficientlight (e.g. emergency situations). Therefore, the light 144 from the topsurface 140 can help an individual to orient the sensor 100 in the dark.As well, in some embodiments, the sensor 100 can be configured such thatthe light 144 does not light up unless the sensor has been properlyplaced on the individual's finger. Alternatively, the light can turn offwhen properly placed. In such embodiments, the light 144 can help toserve as an indicator for the individual to adjust the sensor 100. Thelight can also provide some ambient lighting. As discussed, because thesensor 100 is frequently used in situations with insufficient light, theambient lighting provides the additional benefit of providing a lightsource for emergency personnel.

The top surface 140 is located on the top compressed portion 132 of thesensor housing 130 and serves to protect the emitter 146. The light pipe142 filling the cut-outs in the top surface 140 help to protect theemitter 146 while still allowing light to shine from the top surface140. The emitter 146 also has a surface that is exposed on the insidesurface 174 of the sensor housing 130. In some embodiments, the emitter146 can also serve as the light source that is captured by the detector182 after attenuation by the body tissue.

The function of the emitter 146 described above, while shown in thecontext of the sensor housing 130, can be included on a variety ofsensors 100. For example, the emitter in tape sensors or clip-structuredsensors can be adapted such that the emitter emits light to signal tothe individual that the sensor 100 is properly functioning.Alternatively, the light can turn off when properly placed. As well, theemitter in tape sensors or clip-structured sensors can be adapted toprovide ambient light.

The detector 182 is located near the proximal end 110 of the sensorhousing 130 on the bottom compressed portion 134. In one embodiment, thedetector 182 is centered in the proximal end 110 of the sensor housing130 such that it is aligned with the emitter 146. In one embodiment, thedetector 182 is contained in a hard shell box 180 that protrudes fromthe bottom of the sensor housing 130 and out from the bottom compressedportion 134. FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom view of the sensor housing 130and an enlarged view of the hard shell box 180 of the detector 182. Thepurpose of the hard shell box 180 is to provide for a more reliablereading from the detector 182. In some embodiments, this is accomplishedby the hard shell box 180 protruding from the bottom compressed portion134. By having the hard shell box 180 contact an outside surface insteadof the outside material of the sensor housing 130, the sensor housing130 of the sensor 100 can slide more easily on a surface and preventcatching of the sensor against a surface. In situations where theindividual is moving or tapping his/her hand, if the sensor housing 130of the sensor 100 were to catch on a surface, it would cause theindividual's finger to slip on the inside surface 174 of the sensorhousing 130 which can prevent the detector 182 from providing a reliablereading.

FIGS. 9-10 provide a cross-sectional view of the sensor 100. FIG. 9illustrates an off-centered longitudinal cross-section of the sensor 100which provides a view of the length of the inside surface 174. FIG. 10illustrates a lateral cross-section of the sensor 100 near the proximalend 110 of the sensor 100. FIG. 9 illustrates the finger-shaped path 200of the inside surface 174. The finger-shaped path 200 includes a fingerlumen 230 and a finger-tip indentation 210 at the proximal end 220 ofthe finger-shaped path 200. As discussed earlier, the finger-shaped path200 of the inside surface 174 narrows between the top compressed portion132 and bottom compressed portion 134 which helps to capture anindividual's finger between the sensor housing 130. When an individual'sfinger is placed in the finger-shaped path 200 of the sensor housing130, the length of the individual's finger rests in the finger lumen 230with the fingertip resting in the finger-tip indentation 210. As can beseen in FIG. 10, the finger-tip indentation 210 rests in between theemitter 146 and detector 182 and therefore allows the emitter 146 anddetector 182 to monitor certain bodily functions. FIG. 9 alsoillustrates, as was discussed above, the slit 190 proximal to thefinger-tip indentation 210 and providing a continuous passageway toallow a fingernail to extend past the distal end 220 of the finger-tipindentation 210.

As well, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the sensor housing 130 has a thickerportion about the edges such that the center portion of the sensorhousing 130 has a top compressed portion 132 and bottom compressedportion 134. In some embodiments, this thicker portion about the outeredges of the sensor 100 provides a supported frame for the sensor 100.In some embodiments, the top compressed portion 132 and bottomcompressed portion 134 are composed of a thinner membrane than thesurrounding portion of the sensor housing 130 and spans between thethicker portions of the sensor 100. In some embodiments, the wiring 150,emitter 146, and detector 182 is retained and floats in the thinnermembrane of the top compressed portion 132 and bottom compressed portion134 respectively. In this way, the wiring 150, emitter 146, and detector182 are movably retained in the sensor housing 130. In some embodiments,this conformation of the sensor housing 130 provides comfort as well asaccurate and stable placement of the emitter 146 and detector 182 as thesensor housing 130 can move to conform to a variety of patient fingerdiameters. The flexibility of the sensor 100 can therefore allow for asecure and comfortable fit of the sensor 100 about a patient'sfingertip.

FIGS. 11A-11F and FIGS. 12A-12C provide an example of another embodimentof the sensor described above. As can be seen in this embodiment, thewiring is not contained within the sensor and protrudes from the distalend of the sensor. Unlike the wiring 150 described in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-10, the wiring is not routed at an angle to one side ofthe distal end of the sensor.

FIGS. 11A-11F illustrate the sensor 1200 with a proximal end 1210 and adistal end 1220. As described above, the sensor 1200 has a sensorhousing 1230 with an opening 1270 on the distal end 1220 that allows anindividual's finger to be positioned within. Like the sensor housing 130of the sensor 100, the sensor housing 1230 retains the emitter 1242 anddetector 1257 in the top and bottom portions of the sensor housing 1230respectively. In some embodiments, the emitter 1242 and detector 1257are placed above and below the individual's fingertip. The sensorhousing 1230 also includes a wiring lumen 1250 that can house wiring(not pictured) that runs through the body of the sensor housing 1230.The sensor 1200 also includes a slit 1260 at the proximal end 1210 ofthe sensor housing 1230. As discussed above, the slit 1260 sits at thedistal end of the inside passageway of the sensor 1200 and allows anindividual's fingernail to protrude from the distal end of the sensor1200.

FIGS. 11A and 11E illustrate the wiring lumen 1250 through the sensorhousing 1230. The wiring lumen 1250 has an opening 1252 that allows thewiring to enter the sensor housing 1230. The wiring lumen 1250 has astraight portion 1254 that connects the wiring to the emitter 1242.Unlike the wiring 150 of the sensor 100, the wiring of the sensor 1200is not guided off-center on the sensor housing 1230. In this embodimentof the sensor 1200, because the wiring is not contained within thesensor housing 1230, the wiring does not need to be directed to eitherside so as to allow the opening 1270 to be placed at the proximal end1210 of the sensor housing 1230. Instead the wiring lumen 1250 hascurved portion 1256 that brings the wiring to the underside of thesensor housing 1230 and connects the wiring from the emitter 1242 to thedetector 1257.

Next, as is illustrated in FIG. 11A, in this embodiment, the surface ofthe sensor housing 1230 covering the emitter 1242 can have cut-outs thatare filled in with light pipe 1240. The light pipe 1240 allows the lightfrom the emitter 1242 to shine through which can, as discussed above,help an individual to orient the positioning of the sensor 1200 on thefinger. In other embodiments, the light from the emitter 1242 canindicate to the individual whether the sensor 1200 is properlypositioned on the finger.

FIGS. 11B and 11F provide a cross-sectional view of the sensor 1200.FIG. 11B illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sensor1200 which provides a view of the length of the finger-shaped path 1300.FIG. 11F illustrates a lateral cross-section of the sensor 1200 near theproximal end 1210 of the sensor 1200. FIG. 11B illustrates thefinger-shaped path 1300 that includes a finger lumen 1310 and afinger-tip indentation 1320 at the proximal end 1330 of thefinger-shaped path 1300. As seen in FIG. 11F, the finger-shaped path1300 narrows towards the proximal end 1330 of the finger-shaped path1300. When an individual's finger is placed in the finger-shaped path1300 of the sensor housing 1230, the length of the individual's fingerrests in the finger lumen 1310 with the fingertip resting in thefinger-tip indentation 1320. As can be seen in FIG. 11B, the finger-tipindentation 1320 rests in between the emitter 1242 and detector 1257 andtherefore allows the emitter 1242 and detector 1257 to monitor theindividual's bodily functions. FIG. 11F also illustrates, as wasdiscussed above, the slit 1260 opening proximal to the finger-tipindentation 1320 that can allow the individual's fingernail to extendpast the proximal end 1330 of the finger-tip indentation 1320.

Finally, FIGS. 12A-12C provide front, top, and side views of the sensor1200 as it is used by an individual to measure the individual's bodilyfunctions. As can be seen, the individual's finger extends into thesensor housing 1230 from the opening 1270 on the distal end 1220 of thesensor 1200 and into the finger-shaped path 1300. The finger extendsthrough the finger-shaped path 1300 of the sensor 1200 such that thelength of the finger rests in the finger lumen 1310 and the fingertiprests in the finger-tip indentation 1320 of the proximal end 1330. Atthe finger-tip indentation 1320, the fingertip is between the emitter1242 and detector 1257 that monitors certain bodily functions of theindividual.

Although this disclosure has been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the disclosure and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the disclosurehave been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which arewithin the scope of this disclosure, will be readily apparent to thoseof skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplatedthat various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific featuresand aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within thescope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood thatvarious features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can becombined with or substituted for one another in order to form varyingmodes of the disclosed.

1. A reusable sensor for measuring a signal indicative of at least onephysiological parameter of tissue, the sensor comprising: a reusablecircuit including one or more light emitting source configured to emitlight of at least two different wavelengths and at least one lightdetector configured to detect the light after it has been attenuated bybody tissue; a sensor housing, the sensor housing configured to enclosethe finger and having a distal opening, a wire lumen, and a proximalopening, wherein the distal opening includes a lumen that extendsthrough the body of the sensor housing, along a topside of the sensorhousing; and a wire, wherein the wire is disposed within the wire lumenand provides a connection between the light emitting source and thelight detector.
 2. The reusable sensor of claim 1 wherein the wire lumenand the wire has a portion that deviates from the centerline of thesensor at a non-zero angle.
 3. The reusable sensor of claim 1 whereinthe wire extends across the topside of the sensor housing and past aproximal end of the sensor housing such that the proximal opening canaccommodate a fingernail.
 4. The reusable sensor of claim 1 wherein theangle is between 1 and 45 degrees.
 5. The reusable sensor of claim 1wherein the reusable sensor is capable of being flipped inside outwithout breaking the wire.
 6. The reusable sensor of claim 1 wherein thewire lumen is contained within the sensor housing.
 7. The reusablesensor of claim 1 wherein the wire lumen extends from the sensorhousing.
 8. The reusable sensor of claim 1 wherein the proximal openingis internally connected with the proximal end of the lumen of the distalopening.
 9. The reusable sensor of claim 1 wherein a top and bottomsurface of the sensor housing is compressed at a proximal end of thesensor.
 10. A reusable sensor for measuring a signal indicative of atleast one physiological parameter of tissue, the sensor comprising: areusable circuit including one or more light emitting source configuredto emit light of at least two different wavelengths and at least onelight detector configured to detect the light after it has beenattenuated by body tissue; a sensor housing, the sensor housing having awire lumen, wherein the sensor housing is disposed about the lightemitting source and the light detector, wherein the sensor housingincludes an opening so as to allow a light of the emitter to be visiblefrom an outer surface of the sensor housing; and a wire, wherein thewire is disposed within the wire lumen and provides a connection betweenthe light emitting source and the light detector.
 11. The reusablesensor of claim 10, wherein the sensor housing is configured to enclosea finger.
 12. The reusable sensor of claim 10 wherein the reusablesensor has a rubber or an elastomeric material.
 13. The reusable sensorof claim 10 wherein the sensor housing is a tape that is adapted toposition the reusable circuit on the body tissue.
 14. The reusablesensor of claim 10 wherein the sensor housing is a clip that is adaptedto attach to the body tissue.
 15. The reusable sensor of claim 10wherein the light of the emitter is not emitted when the sensor is notproperly aligned.
 16. The reusable sensor of claim 10 wherein the lightof the emitter is not emitted when the sensor is properly aligned. 17.The reusable sensor of claim 10 wherein the emitter provides light thatis visible outside of the sensor housing.
 18. The reusable sensor ofclaim 10 wherein the detector is located on a first bottom portion ofthe sensor housing and protrudes from the sensor housing.
 19. Thereusable sensor of claim 10 wherein the emitter is located on a secondtop portion of the sensor housing.
 20. A reusable sensor for measuring asignal indicative of at least one physiological parameter of tissue, thesensor comprising: a reusable circuit including one or more lightemitting source configured to emit light of at least two differentwavelengths and at least one light detector configured to detect thelight after it has been attenuated by body tissue; a sensor housing, thesensor housing having a distal opening and a wire lumen; wherein thesensor housing is disposed about the light emitting source and the lightdetector and configured to surround and enclose a finger, wherein thesensor housing includes an opening on a top surface of the sensorhousing configured to allow a portion of the emitted light to be visiblefrom the top surface of the sensor housing, wherein the distal openingincludes a lumen that extends through the body of the sensor housing,along a topside of the sensor housing; and a wire, wherein the wire isdisposed within the wire lumen and provides a connection between thelight emitting source and the light detector. 21-29. (canceled)